The Governor extends Phase Three until December 4th. Edwards says our current plateau of cases and hospitalizations is higher than the early summer though that saw us at our lowest transmission rates since the pandemic began. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says much of the rise is being traced back to small, intimate gatherings between friends and family where people aren’t masking up.
Cut 12 (10) “…elsewhere”.

Senator Bill Cassidy anticipates a COVID vaccine will be approved by the end of the year or first of 2021. Four trials are currently underway in the US. Cassidy says an independent board is overseeing the trials, and once a trial feels they have sufficient evidence they send findings to the FDA for approval. Then the FDA sends their findings back to the company to begin producing the vaccine.
Cut 6 (05) “…market it”

Eyes are once again on the tropics as Tropical Depression* Eta is expected to move into the Western Caribbean after punishing Central America and re-intensity into a Tropical Storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Eta is taking an unusual path after a trip to Cuba a hard left is forecast into the Gulf over the next five days.
Cut 16 (07) “…bares watching”

Shell announces it will shutter its Convent refinery by the end of the month, laying off 700 workers and costing the St. James Parish government an estimated 24 million dollars a year in tax revenue. The closure will cost 3.8 million to local law enforcement. St. James Sheriff Willy Martin says the company has committed to cleaning out the facility.
Cut 9 (10) “…shutdown”